The Castle Of Otranto

The narrative centers on Manfred, the lord of a castle, whose life is thrown into turmoil when his son Conrad dies tragically on his wedding day. Desperate to save his family line, Manfred's attempts lead to a series of supernatural events. This novel skillfully merges realism with the fantastical, introducing iconic Gothic elements such as secret passages and eerie occurrences. It establishes key plot devices and character archetypes that would define the genre, marking a significant milestone in Gothic literature.